Health ministers face huge challenges at the moment. In the aftermath of the global economic crisis, some are being asked to cut spending. All Ministers have to think of the longer term – how best to ensure high quality health care and good value for money in the face of population ageing, technological change, and rising population expectations. At a meeting in Paris on 7-8th October, Ministers will discuss how to enhance quality, reduce waste and promote healthy lifestyles.

Up to 40% of the increase in life expectancy since the early 1990s could be due to increased health spending.

Health Spending (now at an OECD average of 9% of GDP) has exceeded economic growth in most OECD countries in the last 15 years and could further increase by 50 to 90% by 2050.

In industrialised countries, smoking is responsible for 22% of cardiovascular diseases, while Alcohol abuse is the source of 8%-18% of the total burden of disease in men and 2%-4% in women and overweight accounts for 8%-15% of this burden.

Healthcare errors occur in over 10% of hospital stays, nearly half of which can be prevented or avoided.

Best practices

The OECD has gathered some examples of health policy initiatives which have met with considerable success within our member countries.Click here for more information.

Efficiency may be the answer

Ministers outline the importance of improving health sector efficiency in order to tackle rising costs. Improved safety for patients, better primary care and increased investments in prevention are some key issues for health ministers today.